Why moves to withdraw Hereford restaurant licence postponed

Moves to withdraw the drinks and late food licence of a Hereford restaurant have been postponed.

Planet Buffet in the city’s Commercial Road is currently licensed to sell alcohol until 11pm and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, during which time it can also serve hot food.

In February a police-led operation at the restaurant led to the arrest of two Chinese men on immigration offences.

As a consequence, Herefordshire Council licencing officers proposed revoking Planet Buffet’s drinks and late food licence.

But a meeting of the county’s licensing subcommittee earlier this month, called solely to hear the case, was adjourned “to facilitate the attendance of the licence holder and the translation of documents associated with the application for review”, according to minutes.

Little else was revealed about the case, as the council invoked a legal measure allowing it to withhold information that relates “to any individual [or] to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime”.

Councillors agreed that the hearing would re-convene on Friday May 30. This is also expected to be behind closed doors.

Attempts were made to contact the restaurant for comment.